Wales is a beautiful country and worthy of a visit for its scenery alone, but it’s love of sport and rugby in particular, make it a great destination for sports fans. In 1881, the Welsh Rugby Union was founded and the sport is still regarded as the countries national game despite the popularity of football. There are now over 300 rugby clubs in Wales, plus a flourishing grass roots system and women’s game.
Whether it’s playing or watching, rugby is regarded as Wales favourite past time, and with the four biggest men’s teams, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons, competing against the best Irish, Scottish, Italian and South African teams in the Pro14 league, and also in the European Rugby Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup, there is plenty of sporting action to enjoy.
Arms Park
Arms Park is home to the Cardiff Blues and Cardiff Rugby Football Club and it is located next to the Principality Stadium in the heart of the Welsh capital. The ground has been used for rugby since 1881 and was previously a home for the Welsh national team.
The ground famously hosted the world’s first floodlit game in October 1966, with Cardiff RFC beating the mighty Barbarians 12-8. Since then, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Uruguay have all run out at the world-famous venue.
Boasting a capacity of 13,000 and located in the redeveloped Cardiff Bay area, it is the perfect location for visitors to combine sight-seeing in the historic Welsh capital and a game of rugby. With the Mermaid Quay and its restaurants and bars, plus the Cardiff Rugby Museum and Cardiff castle close by, there’s no shortage of things to do.
Rugby games at the Arms Park are always vibrant, passionate affairs with a wonderful atmosphere, but if you need to add any more excitement to the game then you can always take advantage of live betting and try and win some spending money for the rest of your trip.
Liberty Stadium
Home of the Ospreys and Swansea City Football Club, the Liberty Stadium is a purpose-built sports and concert arena in Swansea. Completed in 2005, the stadium boasts a capacity of 21,000 seats and is the second largest stadium in Wales after the Millennium Stadium, home to the Welsh National Football and Rugby Team.
There are lots of things to see and do in Swansea to make a visit here even more worthwhile, with Swansea Market, the national Waterfront Museum and The Dylan Thomas centre worth a visit, plus the beautiful Gower Peninsula and vibrant seaside village Mumbles, are well worth a trip.
Parc y Scarlets Stadium
Home to Scarlets and Llanelli RFC, Parc y Scarlets Stadium is located just a few miles from Llanelli town centre. A £23m purpose-built rugby stadium that opened in 2008, the ground replaced the historic Stradey Park, the home of rugby in Llanelli for over 100 years.
The stadium capacity is around 15,000 and there’s also a terrace area for 1,780 fans, which means you’re always guaranteed a great atmosphere here. It’s a great family day out when the rugby teams at home, be it Llanelli or Scarlets, and the town is always bouncing, especially after a win.
While you’re here, don’t miss out on a visit to Stradey Castle, the Millennium Coastal Park or the Llanelli Wetland Centre.
Rodney Parade
Home of the Dragons, Newport RFC and Newport County Football Club, Rodney Parade is located on the east bank of the river Usk and was opened in 1877.
After undergoing extensive refurbishment and a newly installed hybrid grass pitch, the ground is on of the best around and with three clubs sharing the venue, it’s one of the busiest too.
With a capacity of around 8000, this small, historic ground lets fans get close to the action and a Dragons home game is not to be missed with an electric atmosphere throughout the town.
While you’re here, why not take in Tredegar House, Newport Wetlands, Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths or Wentwood Forest, the oldest woodland in Wales.
The Principality Stadium
Most rugby fans, no matter what their nationality, will agree that the National Stadium of Wales in the centre of Cardiff, is the best rugby stadium in the world. It generates an atmosphere like no other stadium can, especially when the roof is closed, and with a 74,000 capacity the noise inside is deafening.
There’s nothing quite like international rugby and when Wales are at home the capital comes alive, with home and away fans creating a wonderful carnival atmosphere around the city. It’s worth buying a ticket just to hear the singing of the Welsh national anthem, which is so inspiring it will make you wish you were Welsh. The crowd is passionate and noisy, but most importantly they’re friendly and up for a laugh.
With so much to see and do around the capital and loads of wonderful places to eat and drink, taking in a rugby game at the Principality stadium is more than just a sporting experience, it’s a life experience that’s not to be missed.